Data acquisition apparatus

ABSTRACT

A scanner device includes a body portion with an optical scanner module at a first forward end and having a keypad and display mounted on an upper surface. The handle portion extends from the body portion near the forward end and is oriented at a selected angle to cause a second rearward end of the bottom surface of the body portion to rest on the radial surface of a user&#39;s hand when a user grips the handle.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS:

This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/436,169, filed Nov. 9, 1999, which is a continuation of U.S.Continued Prosecution application Ser. No. 08/883,357, filed Jun. 26,1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,770 entitled “Data Acquisition DeviceHaving a Resilient Seal Interposed between the Head Portion and theHandle Portion for Rest Stand (as amended)”.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to hand held devices for acquiring data,and particularly to optical code reading devices, for example, forreading bar codes on items in stores, warehouses and businesses. U.S.Pat. No. 5,589,679 describes a hand held optical scanning device whichis formed generally in the shape of a pistol having an upper surfaceprovided with a data entry keypad and a display for displaying theidentification of items scanned by the device to a user. Similar handheld scanners are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,594,232 and 5,600,121,all of which are assigned to the assignee of this application.

In connection with hand held data acquisition devices, wherein thedevices are provided with a keypad for manual data entry, the prior artpistol configuration can be slightly awkward to use as keypad operationtends to push the scanner body downward.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hand-held dataacquisition device which has an improved ergonomic arrangement, wherebyoperation of a keypad thereon is firmly supported against the mainportion of a user's hand to thereby provide a more stable support.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a data acquisitiondevice with a convenient and protective resting arrangement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an opticalscanning device having a body portion with a first distal end and havingan optical scanning module oriented to scan objects in a direction whichis outward from the distal end. A keypad and display are provided on theupper surface of the body portion. A handle is provided extending from abottom surface of the body portion and joined to the body portion at alocation near the distal end and at a selected angle which causes aproximal end of the bottom surface of the body portion to rest on aradial surface of a users hand when the user grasps the handle.

Preferably the scanning device and handle are contoured to comfortablyconform to a users hand, such as, for example, by provision of a bulboushandle. The handle may include one or more trigger mechanisms. In apreferred arrangement the body portion includes a housing and a covermember jointed to the housing. A resilient seal is interposed betweenthe housing and the cover and projects outwardly from the body portionto form a resilient ridge. In a preferred arrangement the ridge has aportion that forms a rest stand.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with otherand further objects, reference is made to the following description,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and its scope willbe pointed out in the appended claims.

PREFERRED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of an opticalscanning device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the FIG. 1 device.

FIG. 3 is an partial cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 device.

FIG. 4 is another optical cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 device.

FIG. 5a is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5b is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention illustrating the displayed information in horizontalconfiguration.

FIG. 6 is an alternate embodiment of a handle of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an optical scanning device 10 is providedwith a body portion 12 and a handle portion 14. An optical scanningmodule 20 is provided at a first distal end of body portion 12 forscanning objects in a direction that is outward from the distal end. Itshould be recognized that the optical scanning module may have adifferent location as long as it has an optical path outward from thedistal end. Handle 14 extends from the bottom of body portion 12 nearthe distal end in a downward angular direction with respect to the bodyportion, as will be further described. Handle portion 14 may be joinedto body portion 12 by conventional means or may be integrally moldedwith the bottom of body portion 12.

Scanning device 10 includes conventional components used in suchdevices, including the optical scanning module, a microcomputer foracquiring data and a power supply. Where the device is wireless, theremay be provided a radio for sending data, such as inventory data, to amaster station or to a nearby cash register, such as a checkout stationor to another scanning device. The radio may be a local area wirelessnetwork such as the Spectrum 24 system made by the assignee of thisapplication. Alternately, a cord providing power and data communicationsmay be provided.

Body portion 12 includes a lower housing member 16 which is joined to anupper housing member 18 forming a cover. Resilient sealing member 30 isinterposed between the lower housing member 16 and cover 18 to form adust and moisture resistance seal therebetween, and to provide otherfunctions as will be described. The upper surface of cover 18 includes adigital display 24 and a keypad 22 which can be seen in the top view ofFIG. 2. Keypad 22 is useful in entering numeric data and/or desiredfunction codes in a manner well known in the art. Display 24 may displayinformation about scanned labels to the operator, and may also be usefulin connection with providing operational or other information to theoperator. As compared with the conventional placement of the display,the present invention positions the display closer to the operator.Thus, there is an increase in the viewing angle formed by theintersection of the plain of the display surface and the operator's lineof sight. The increase in the viewing angle improves the visibility ofthe displayed information. In an alternate embodiment, (FIGS. 5a and 5b) the display is a touch sensitive data entry display 40. The displayis increased in size to include a layer area of the top surface, and themajority of the keys can be eliminated. In such an embodiment, thedisplay is rectangular in shape and has a vertical and horizontalconfiguration. The display may be switched between such configuration toadapt to a user's preference. In addition, the horizontal configuration(FIG. 5b) can be further configured for left-hand and right-hand use soas to be adapted for a wider range of users.

Scanning module 20 is of a conventional type known in the art, forexample, as described in the above referenced U.S. patents owned by theassignee of the present application. In a battery operatedconfiguration, handle 14 may include a connector at the lower endthereof, to be received in a cradle in which the battery of scanner 10can be recharged. When in a cradle, scanner 10 may be used forhands-free scanning. The cradle may also be equipped to provide read-outof acquired data through infrared communication ports or other form ofcommunication ports.

One feature of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is thearrangement of handle 14 near the distal end of body 12 having outwardlyfacing scanner module 20. When scanning device 10 is held in anoperator's hand as shown in FIG. 1, the handle arrangement causes theproximal end of body portion 12 to extend over the radial surface 21 ofthe users hand 23, such that the lower surface of body portion 12 restson and is supported by the radial hand surface 21. In this arrangement,the weight of body portion 12 is easily supported by the user duringoperation of the scanning device. FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodimentof the handle which is made to conform to a user's hand. When the userenters data by operating keypad 22 the body portion 12 is firmlysupported by the radial hand surface 21 against the force of keystrokes, avoiding a tendency to exert unsupported force on the handlegrip of the user which would require a greater gripping force. Keypad 22and display 24 are arranged for easy access to the user and easy viewingwhen the scanning device is held in the hand.

As is known for such scanning devices, handle 14 includes trigger button26 which may be a two-finger trigger and provide multiple functions,such as read only or read and store, and/or scroll menu utility.

Another feature of the preferred embodiment of the invention is theprovision of a rubber or other resilient gasket 31 between lower bodymember 16 and cover 18. As shown in the drawings, particularly FIGS. 2and 3, resilient sealing member 31 extends a distance beyond the lowerbody 16 and cover 18 around almost the entire periphery of body portion12. The extension of sealing member 30 provides two advantageousfunctions. First, the extended resilient member provides an additionalbumping surface which can serve to protect the user's hand from injury,and also protect the scanner device from damage in the event it isaccidentally bumped into or rubbed against shelves, walls or otherobjects during use. Secondly, the resilient extensions of member 30 aswell as the remaining portions of the resilient gasket 31 in the sidedirections provides a non-slip resting member for the scanning device,when it is laid down on its side to temporarily free the user's handsfor other tasks. The resilient nature of the sealing member 30 givesresistance to sliding off a resting surface that is not completelyhorizontal.

An additional feature of the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2is that the forward edge 34 of resilient member 30 forms a restingstand, for example by being configured either as a linear edge as shownin FIG. 2, or as a multi-point stand. This enables the scanner device 10to be conveniently rested against a flat horizontal surface in a stableposition. The place of a resting surface is shown by the dotted line 38of FIG. 1. The resting configuration may be further improved byproviding a ridge 32 on the lower end of handle 14, which may alsoinclude a linear surface 36, shown in FIG. 4 for providing a stable restconfiguration. Ridge 32 may also be part of a resilient gasket betweenportions of the handle. Ridge 32 may be extended sideways, as shown inFIG. 4, to provide greater stability as a stand and a resting ridge forhandle 14 in the event the scanning device is laid on its side restingon sealing member 30.

While there have been described what are believed to be the preferredembodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art willrecognize that other and further changes may be made thereto withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claimall such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of theinvention.

We claim:
 1. A hand-held optical scanning device comprising: a bodyportion having an optical scanning module arranged to scan objects in adirection which is outward from a first distal end, said body portionincluding an upper surface having a display mounted thereon, and ahandle portion extending from a bottom surface of said body portion,said handle portion being joined to said body portion at a location nearsaid distal and at a selected angle with respect to said body portion tocause a proximal end of said bottom surface to rest on a radial surfaceof a user's hand when the user grasps the handle portion.
 2. An opticalscanning device as specified in claim 1 wherein said handle and saidbottom surface are contoured to comfortably fit into the hand of a user.3. An optical scanning device as specified in claim 1 wherein saidhandle portion includes a trigger.
 4. An optical scanning device asspecified in claim 1 wherein said body portion includes a housing and acover member joined to said housing, said cover member including saidupper surface, and wherein there is provided a resilient seal interposedbetween said housing and said cover, said seal projecting outwardly fromsaid body portion and forming a resilient ridge.
 5. An optical scanneras specified in claim 4 wherein said ridge formed by said outwardlyprojecting seal includes a ridge portion forming a rest stand.
 6. Anoptical scanning device as specified in claim 5 wherein said ridgeportion forming a rest stand is at the distal end of said body portion.7. An optical scanning device as specified in claim 5 wherein saidhandle portion includes a further ridge forming a second rest stand foruse in cooperation with said first rest stand.
 8. An optical scanningdevice as specified in claim 1 wherein said upper surface of said bodyportion includes a keypad.
 9. An optical scanned device as specified inclaim 1 wherein said display is a touch-screen display.
 10. An opticalscanning device a specified in claim 9 wherein said touch screen displaycan be arranged at different orientations.
 11. An optical scanningdevice as specified in claim 9 further including a radio forcommunicating data scanned by said optical scanning module.
 12. In ahand held data acquisition device having a housing, a cover memberjoined to said housing and a handle joined to said housing, theimprovement comprising a first resilient seal interposed between saidhousing and said cover, said first seal projecting outward from saidhousing and forming a resilient ridge and a second resilient seallocated on the handle of said hand held data acquisition device, wherebythe first and second seals form a rest stand for said device.
 13. Ahand-held optical scanning device comprising: a body portion having anoptical scanning module arranged to scan objects in a direction which isoutward from a first distal end, said body portion including an uppersurface having a keypad mounted thereon, and a handle portion extendingfrom a bottom surface of said body portion, said handle portion beingjoined to said body portion at a location near said distal end and at aselected angle with respect to said body portion to cause a proximal endof said bottom surface to rest on a radial surface of a user's hand whenthe user grasps the handle portion.
 14. A hand-held scanning device forreading bar codes, said device comprising: an upper portion including ascanning module and an aperture in a forward section of said upperportion for receiving and transmitting light to the scanning module,said aperture provided with a translucent window; a handle having a topend connected to said upper portion, a bottom end, and further includinga trigger for activating said scanning module; a resilient forward edgelocated in proximity of said aperture, said resilient forward edgecomprising a resilient slip-resistant resting surface for said hand-heldscanning device.
 15. A hand-held scanning device for reading bar codes,said device comprising: an upper portion including a scanning module andan aperture in a forward section of said upper portion for receiving andtransmitting light to the scanning module; and a handle having a top endconnected to a forward section of said upper portion, said handleextending down at an angle from said forward section toward a rearsection of said upper portion; wherein said upper portion rests on awrist of a user and ergonomically distributes the weight of saidhand-held scanning device over the wrist of the user.